Refugees and rescuers / Support systems in East County under stress from influx

East County has long been an enclave for Chaldean immigrants from Iraq. Some 35,000 are here, mostly in El Cajon. With war in Iraq continuing, 400 refugees a month are arriving, a surge that may last two or three more years.

Coming from refugee camps in Syria, Jordan and Turkey, many of these people left their homes in Iraq in less than 24 hours, taking only what they could carry. Some saw relatives executed because of their religion. Others were at risk for having helped keep coalition forces safe. Their arrival in a time of 10.2 percent unemployment in the United States is straining resources. Federal subsistence benefits and food stamps run out after eight months. Then, refugees who have not found jobs must turn to the state. Attending English classes is a requirement for benefits. That's sensible but the sheer magnitude of the influx is a burden on high school and college districts. Grossmont Union High School District has 43 sections of English as a second language and could fill 12 more — if it had the space and teachers.

All support organizations are maxed out, be they Catholic Charities, Chaldean Middle Eastern Social Services or government agencies. Against this backdrop, Grossmont/Cuyamaca Community College District and Grossmont Union hosted a summit Nov. 6 for some 250 service providers. “We want to welcome and help them to be successful and be part of the fabric of the East County,” said Cindy Miles, college district

chancellor. Former state Sen. Wadie Deddeh, patriarch of San Diego Chaldeans, said: “Immersion English. These people are heartbroken. They left home, need a job, but cannot do anything until they learn English.” Potential solutions were floated: A master Web site of resources, both to guide refugees and to reduce duplication. A call for volunteers. Encouraging the county to go after federal school impact funds, an opportunity it has failed to seize. A second summit with emphasis on matching refugees with resources.

Waves of refugees and struggles to assimilate are part of American history. Despite government efforts to diffuse the arrivals, they tend to migrate to supportive enclaves. They bring with them skills and a will to succeed. But the numbers inevitably mean a national challenge is passed to various localities.

The East County is one of those localities and its people are rolling up their sleeves to welcome and to assist. Their current approach may create a national model. We hope so, and we commend them.